In the 80s, teenagers in Ontario could write a test to obtain a driver’s license at age 16. Called a “365” this license allowed you to drive with a licensed driver in the car with you. For the next 365 … Continue reading
Teenage Suicide I used to think I had a split personality. One personality was my “outside self” that I showed the world. An over-achiever, A-student, always smiling. The other personality was my “inside self.” I kept this to myself. Anxious, … Continue reading
Photo by Isaac Quesada on Unsplash And learned a hard lesson instead In 1985, I joined Junior Achievement (JA) with my friend, Monica. JA was a program to help youth learn about running a business. Fifteen students met weekly in a small building … Continue reading
I was a follower of ‘Reverend Ken and the Lost Followers’ In high school, I attended the “church of the open bottle” at the Red Dog Tavern on Hunter Street in Peterborough, Ontario. My best friend, Monica, and I had … Continue reading
A memoir of a Catholic girl’s high school years Through Trials to Triumph is the story of a Catholic teenage girl struggling with depression and dark thoughts about ending her life while grappling with her faith. It’s a recollection filled with … Continue reading
The experience that made me like pea soup My mother makes the best soup in the whole world. I may be biased but it’s true. The only soup of Mom’s that I didn’t like was pea soup. And only because … Continue reading
And other childhood memories around food Although I don’t consider myself a true “foodie” I have found that many of my childhood memories center around food. I remember the banana-flavoured popsicles that my brother, Andrew, and my cousins, Paul and … Continue reading
Especially at times when I wasn’t supposed to My cousin, Angela, was exactly a year and a month older than me. But we got along as if we were twin sisters. She was one of my most favourite playfellows. I … Continue reading
Or, my two favourite late-night delights As a young child, my bedtime was 8:00 p.m. Many kids today may balk at that early hour but I had no problem going to bed at that time. I actually liked it. But … Continue reading
Sunday morning. I wake up in a strange room. I realize I’m in my best friend’s bed. My bestie lightly snores beside me. Her family has no plans to go to church today. Should I rush home on my bicycle … Continue reading